The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has waded into the firestorm surrounding the 'A Tax for Galamsey' scandal, cautioning that the summary dismissal of the Amansie Central District Chief Executive (DCE) would be a violation of the principles of natural justice.

Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Illegal Mining today, Thursday, 12th February 2026, Dr Amoakohene insisted that while the allegations are grave, the government must adhere to due process before taking terminal administrative action.

The minister’s comments follow an explosive JoyNews investigation that revealed a pay-to-destroy syndicate where the Amansie Central District Assembly allegedly collected illicit taxes from illegal miners to allow them to operate with impunity.

In response to a formal petition filed by JoyNews following the documentary's airing, the presidency has constituted a special committee to investigate the extortion allegations.

Dr Amoakohene revealed that this committee is already on the ground, "delving into" the side of the accused officials to establish a factual basis for any future sanctions.

“We are on a committee to listen to the side and be able to delve into it, to be able to come out with the facts and the conclusions of the same. So investigations are underway... once the reports and everything and the recommendations are ready, the same will be communicated,” the Regional Minister stated.

Innocent until proven guilty

Dr Amoakohene pushed back against mounting public pressure for the immediate interdiction of the DCE and other implicated officials.

He argued that the mere levelling of allegations, regardless of the strength of the broadcast evidence, does not automatically trigger a sack under Ghanaian law.

He emphasised that for the Accra Reset agenda to succeed, it must be rooted in the rule of law rather than "victimisation."

“It's not as if, when you submit the petition right after, the person is interdicted. I'm not sure of any laws in the country that states that... if we don't introduce laws, we may be victimizing people unreasonably so,” he remarked.

Institutional sabotage vs. state response

The 'A Tax for Galamsey' documentary has become a litmus test for President John Dramani Mahama’s resolve to end illegal mining. The exposé showed how local authorities in the Ashanti Region allegedly charged miners up to GH¢12,000 per excavator—a practice that directly undermines the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) operations

Dr Amoakohene’s comments suggest a more cautious approach at the regional level to ensure the final report is unassailable in court.

As the war on galamsey enters this new, politically sensitive phase, the Ashanti Regional Minister has called for "patience" from the public, assuring that any established wrongdoing will be met with decisive action.